Guide to Bujumbura City

Bujumbura Travel Guide- Burundi Safaris : Self Drive East Africa

Burundi is a landlocked country bordered by Rwanda in the north, Tanzania in the East, Namibia in the south, DR Congo in the southwest. Burundi is covered by beautiful landscapes. The scenery is the most dramatic along the western and eastern borders. Burundi’s highest point is 9,055 feet (2,760 meters) at Mount Heha which is located in the Bujumbura rural province.

Bujumbura is the Burundi’s largest city and main port. It ships most of the country’s main export products – coffee, as well as cotton and tin ore. The former capital of Burundi, it is located on the northeastern shore of Lake Tanganyika the second deepest lake in the world. In December 2018 the capital of Burundi was changed from Bujumbura to Gitega by the late President Pierre Nkurunziza full filling the promise he made in 2007.

Tourists Attractions in Bujumbura City  Burundi

1. Saga Beach

   Saga Beach is one of the Bujumbura’s Lake Tanganyika beaches one of the best urban Beach of any landlocked country in Africa.

2. Institute Français Burundi

   The institute hosts a diverse and exciting array of cultural events which take in everything from art house films to exhibitions and food. It has a great standard with French cultural institutes.

3. Mount Heha

   Mount Heha, the highest mountain in the country with an altitude of about 2700 meters, is one of the favorite places to visit for travellers who love hiking and climbing. This mountain, which dazzles with its magnificent views, is located in Bujumbura Rural Province.

4. Zoo in Bujumbura

   Zoo in Bujumbura is home to various animals which include chimp, a leopard, several crocodiles, various snakes and some antelopes in cramped, dirty and exposed cages. The guinea pigs for sale at the reception are food for the carnivores, and if you buy one, you’ll get a graphic demonstration of the food chain in action, you will need advance permissions for you to film in this zoo.

Central Market in Market in Bujumbura
Central Market in Market in Bujumbura is the largest in Burundi and is an interesting place to poke around in with its maze-like corridors and closet-sized stalls.
The market is organised into sections, from the colourful fresh produce stores to shops selling nothing but secondhand clothing donated by western nations. The tiny fish, which smell so badly when fresh, are a local delicacy when dried (mukeke), you will have an opportunity to film the local foods of Burundi and how local vending is done in Burundi

Other Recommended Places to visit close to Bujumbura Town.

• Rusizi National Park:
  Located 15 kilometers away from the city of Bujumbura, the Rusizi National Park is known for rare animal species like hippopotamuses, sitatungas and Gustave, the largest Nile crocodile on the earth. A guided tour costs around 3,000 BIF to explore park. Read More
• Karera Beach:
  The Karera Beach on Lake Tanganyika on Uvira Roadway is a beautiful beach famous among both locals and visitors. There is a resort, named Karera Beach Resort, close to the beach.
• Parc des Reptiles
  The Parc des Reptiles or Reptile Park is a wildlife area, situated in the vicinity of Musee Vivant. It is a place where visitors can spot many interesting reptile species including alligators and snakes as well.
• Geological Museum of Burundi
  The Geological Museum of Burundi is one of the best places to visit in Burundi. This science museum describes the complete and interesting features of the geography of Burundi which covers the country’s eye-catching landscapes, lake and flora species.
• Livingstone – Stanley Monument
  Livingstone – Stanley Monument, built in honour of traveller and missionary David Livingstone and journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley, is located 10 kilometres south of Bujumbura. This stone monument shows where these two Europeans who visited the area stayed here.
• Gitega National Museum
  Even if it is not located in Bujumbura, artefacts that have an important role in the cultural heritage of Bujumbura and Burundi can be seen in the Gitega National Museum. This place, which is referred to as Burundi’s best museum in many ways, is among the main stopovers for travellers interested in art. We are sure that you will learn more about the art and history of the country while examining the works here.
• Kagera Waterfalls
  Visitors who want to get away from the hot weather that is effective all year round and cool off in Bujumbura can also head to the Kagera Waterfalls, which has a magnificent view. The surroundings of the waterfalls are cooler than many places in Bujumbura with the effect of the high flowing waters.

Best time to visit Bujumbura:

Throughout the year is best, especially from May to September and December to January are the ideal time to visit Bujumbura in Burundi.

Accommodation options in Bujumbura:

Being the capital and having many natural and manmade tourist attractions, Bujumbura houses around 50 standard accommodation centres to serve visitors coming to the city year round.

List of some reputed hotels in Bujumbura include:

• Hotel La Palmeraie
• King’s Conference Centre
• Le Clos des Limbas
• Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika
• Nonara Beach Resort
• Hotel Residence Ubuntu
• Nonara Beach Resort
• Royal Palace Hotel
• Cercle Nautique
• Water Front Hotel
• Hotel Belair Residence
• Hotel Le Chandelier
• Hotel Restaurant VAYA Appartements
• Yombe Palace Hotel
• Hotel Dolce Vita Resort

Burundi Visa

For traveling to Burundi, You will need to purchase the tourist visa or business visa to allow you entry in Burundi. Many travelers prefer obtaining their visas before they come to Burundi but visas can be obtained easily upon arrival at any entry point in Burundi upon paying for Tourist Visa you will be able to get it immediately. Proof of yellow fever vaccination and a COVID-19 free certificate may be asked if arriving from affected countries. Visa,

In conclusion, there are many things to see and do in Bujumbura ranging from culture, Rivers, Ruzizi, Mountain climbing among others. For a better experience contact Self drive East Africa